The Federal Tariff

Southland Times, Issue 15074, 19 October 1901, Page 2

The Federal Tariff

+ BUTTER BOXES THEY MUST HAVE DEBATE NOT UP TO FEDERAL PITCH [United Pkess Association — By Eleotbio Telegraph— Copyright. ] Melbourne, Oct. 18. The price of New Zealand butter boxes has advanced twopence. The censure debate haa, so far, been a wordy duel between New South Wales Freetraders and Victorian Protectionists, and remarkable mostly for the length of the speeches. Sir G. Turner, replying to criticisms, said the Ministry would stand by the main principle of the tariff, but was quite willing to consider suggested amendments. If a scheme could be put forward to prevent the formation of manufacturers' rings it would be embodied in a bill. It ia rumoured in the lobbies that an amendment in favour of direct taxation will be moved to Mr Reid's motion. Sydney, Oct, 18. Mr G. S. Jackin, of Christchurch, interviewed regarding the Federal tariff, said New Zealand must come into the Federation or lose her small farmers. Ihe South African market was of no use to Now Zealand, excepting in time of war, and Victoria could send produce direct, while New Zealand had to charter steamers, and filling up large vessels glutted the markets they wanted to feed. New Zealand's only other outlet was England, where prices were far below thoae in Australia. (Per U -vited Press Association.) Wanganui, Oct. 18. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day ?tho following resolution waa carried : — "That this Chamber, while thanking the Premier for his telegram, looks upon the dealing with the Australian tariff question ew sj, matter of State policy, about which it has not sufficient information to express a decided opinion, except that it does not think a policy of retaliation would be judicious. Wellington, Oct. 18. Tho Counoil of the Chamber of Commerce to-day passed the following resolutions :— That if the proposed duties be continued there will undoubtedly be a temporary dislocation of trade in produce betweon this oolony and Australia, but whether the imposition of such duties will permanently injure the producers of New Zealand the CouncU is at present unable to express a definite opiuion ; that the Council depi'ecatee the adoption of a policy of retaliation in reference to ths Australian Federal taiiff, whether by meaasof Customs

duties or in any othor way ; further; that with a view to expanding the produce trade of this colony evory encouragement should be given by tho Government to traders and others to opeu new markets. The questiou of advocating reciprocal arrangements waa considered, but it was thought that it would be unwise at thia juncture to persevere with any such suggestionMr Chalmere, cooper, haa received intimation from a large meat company in N. S. Wales thafc the imposition of the Federal duty of 20 per cent ad valorem absolutely prohibits the use of N. Z. staves in Australia. The duty means increasing the cost of overy cask by 14d. Napier, Oct. 16. At a special meeting of fche Chamber of Commerce to consider the Federal tariff, the following resolution was carried : — "That notwithstanding that the Federal tariff may to some extent prejudicially affect export to Australia of New Zealand products, this Chamber does not think it would be wise or expedient or statesmanlike to adopt any retaliatory measures by imposing prohibitor3' duties against the Commonwealth, but is of opinion that the Federal tariff should be met by New Zealand seeking fresh and permanent markets for produce. The Chamber could not see its way to adopt the suggestion of the Dnnedin Chamber relative to subsidising steamers.*' Nbw Pi-ymouth, Oct. 18. The Chamber of Commerce passed the following resolution :— " That although the Chamber deprecates the action of the Federal Government in endeavouring to close the door to tide colony by the imposition of a prohibitory tariff, yet ifc is inadvisable that repirsals in the shape of a tariff war, be instituted, as the bulk of onr imports — coal, hardwood, and fruit provide return freights for vessels in the intercolonial trade, whereby our products are conveyed to Australian markets at minimum rates." A suggestion that negotiations be entered by the respective Governments to establish reciprocal treaties whereby the natural products of each colony could enter the other free of duty waa lost. .._..._

[BY TELEGRAPH.] (FROM OUB SPEOIAL BEPORTEB). Wellington, Oct. 18. Tables have have been prepared by the Customs Department showing the revenue collected in Australia under the old and new tariffs. They give the following information : — New south Wale 3-. revenue at former rates, £103 ; revenue at Federal rates, £165,254; Victoria, £$2,53fr—£68,346; Queensland, £98 16— £1*2,894 ; South Australia, £5104 — £9105; West Australia, £ 1 0,752 -£19,8 13; Tasmania, £2019— £2910; totals, £110,614 and £277,822 — i.e., if these States continued to take the same quantities of N.Z. produce.